By Abbey Cannan
Passengers have been left shocked and stranded as Australia’s only independent airline, Bonza, cancelled all flights on Tuesday 30 April.
Bonza chief executive officer Tim Jordan said Bonza temporarily suspended services while discussions were underway regarding the ongoing viability of the business.
“We apologise to our customers who are impacted by this and we’re working as quickly as possible to determine a way forward that ensures there is ongoing competition in the Australian domestic aviation market,” Tim said.
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King said she was aware of reports of Bonza flights being cancelled.
“I have spoken to Qantas and Virgin CEOs this morning and both airlines stand ready to assist stranded passengers needing to get home,” Catherine said.
“My Department has reached out to Bonza and our expectation is that they keep passengers informed of their options and their consumer rights.
“My Department is in the process of establishing a hotline for stranded passengers and we will get that number out to media as quickly as we can.”
In February this year, Bonza celebrated a year since taking to Aussie skies, with the CEO stating they had big plans for 2024.
“We’re predicting we’ll save domestic travellers somewhere in the vicinity of an additional $250 million this coming year,” Tim said earlier this year.
“Competition in Australian skies is a great thing for Aussie travellers and over 750,000 customers have already experienced the benefits of Bonza.”
Bonza planned to expand its fleet beyond the six aircraft currently servicing the low cost carrier’s 38 routes, together with additional routes being added and plans for a fourth base before the year was out.
The low-cost airline has grown its team month-on-month with more than 300 Bonza staff located across the country.
A Sunshine Coast man, whose wife works for the airline, told the ABC about 20 cabin crew were called into a meeting early Tuesday morning.
“She went to work this morning, as per usual, they just went in — there were two crews there — they were just basically told that Bonza has finished,” he said.
“They’ve been told that they’re not flying until further notice.
“They’ve all been told that the bottom line is that Bonza will no longer be flying.”
He said the news was a blow for the Sunshine Coast region.
“They’re pretty devastated. It’s their job. She’s been in it from day one. It’s a bit of a blow for Maroochydore and the Sunshine Coast.”
